Iran Threatens to Block Bab el-Mandeb Strait After Hormuz Warning

• Iran has threatened to block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait if the US attempts to take Kharg Island, escalating tensions after dismissing a US ceasefire proposal.
• An Iranian military source warned of opening 'other fronts' if any ground action occurs on Iranian territory or naval movements in the Persian Gulf.
• The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, known as the 'Gate of Tears', is a narrow passage connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, crucial for global trade and energy supplies.
• Around 12% of the world's seaborne oil and significant LNG shipments pass through this strait annually, making it vital for routes to the Suez Canal.
• Blocking the strait would force ships to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, increasing travel time by 10-20 days, skyrocketing shipping costs, and potentially crude oil prices.